Doctor insights on:
How To Treat Cough Variant Asthma

1

None:
You need to see your doctor regarding this. Many people with cough-variant asthma actually needs a controller drug such as low-dose inhaled steroid or singulair (montelukast) to control the cough. Cough medicine is not recommended.
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The cough reflex is a protective mechanism that uses muscles in your throat and chest to expel mucous and saliva that may contain pathogens that would otherwise possibly be inhaled via aerosol or to expel pathogens infecting the throat and respiratory system. Cough benefits the host by reducing load and benefits the pathogen which may then spread via aerosol. Cover your cough please.
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2

Asthma:
Cough is just a symptom of asthma. If your docotr hears wheezing and is recurrent problem, then you may have asthma for sure. Your docotr needs to do lung trests to establish diagnosis of asthma along with clinicla diagnosis. Some pts. Cough at night only & it becomes difficult 2diagnose as the docotr may not be able to listen for wheezing at this time unless u go 2 the er. All coughs is not asthma.
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3

Mostly by history:
This is asthma which is primarily manifested by coughing and not measurable evidence of airway constriction. The response to low-dose inhaled steroid, bronchodilator, and/or leukotriene modifier supports the diagnosis. It is possible that this may be a prelude to persistent asthma later on in life.
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5

Not Common:
People often talk about cough variant asthma, but it really is asthma with cough as a symptom instead of wheeze. So if you are coughing see an allergist and have a breathing test called a spirometry. This will tell you if asthma is there or not. The most common cause of cough is post nasal drip and acid reflux can also play a big role.
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6

Difference...:
"cough-variant" asthma is diagnosed when the primary symptom of bronchospasm is cough as opposed to wheezing, the usual sign of bronchospasm. The bronchospasm is treated with bronchodilator and steroid inhalers and the cough is controlled with this therapy. The cough in " cough-variant" asthma responds to the usual treatment of asthma. Cough is the primary sign instead of wheezing.
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7

Cough:
Persistent cough can be due to sinus infections, asthma, smoking, lung infection or disease and GERD. If your cough has lasted more than 2-3 weeks whether persistent or intermittent you really need to see your doctor and go through the list of possibilities for you. A cough is a mechanical way for the body to eliminate mucous from the lung which is normally migrates out without any effort.
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11

Cough and asthma:
Some people with asthma only have a cough and not the wheezing that the others get. There is a chance that you could progress to the standard form of asthma. With treatment the cough can improve. Usually the treatment. Is similar to other asthma treatments. Good luck feel better!
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12

Intensity:
Asthma is a variable condition where the "average" patient experiences periods of wheezing brought on by infection or other personal triggering events. In cough variant asthma it is mild enough they may never know, but the cough stops with asthma meds. A feature is sibs or parents with asthma. Asthmatic bronchitis is more a label for infection triggered wheezing. One with CVA would be more prone to it
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13

Other considerations:
Your doctor may consider adding another medication, reviewing the delivery of his albuterol and his other asthma triggers. Additional medications may include controllers, such as inhaled steroids or montelukast.
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14

Steroid use for resp:
Steroid use in respiratory problems is routine medical therapy. I should be regulated by your medical provider, so hopefully it won't become chronic usage, which definately has many side effects. Beta2 agonists ie albuterol are still the basic meds for asthma type problems. Steroid are a secondary adjunct and do carry complications if used too frequently.
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Kids:
Kids do not have to wheeze to have asthma, as you have indicated that your son has cough variant asthma. The Flovent and ventolin are appropriate management from your physician. I am not sure what the urgent care physician was treating with the amoxicillin. Antibiotics are not used to treat wheezing or cough variant asthma or rad (simply meaning the airways react/narrow to stimulus such as infections, exercise, or allergies). Was the physician concerned about a bacterial infection? In that case the antibiotic would be appropriate.
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16

Slightly:
There is a test called FeNO which is used in some Allergy offices. A positive test is a marker for activated eosinophils in the airway. Depending on the frequency and severity of your symptoms, an inhaled steroid may be indicated.
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17

Medications:
Cough variant asthma usually needs some medications to manage it. If your son's doctor started some medicines that aren't helping, go back for a follow up. There are many different options and the medicines can be changed to something that will be more helpful.
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18

Cough variant asthma:
Is type of asthma where cough is the most salient symptom, dry cough, but still have other asthma signs, at times it might be the only symptom and hard to diagnose. As for the albuterol form: whichever works, so long it is taken in the right way and produces the desired effect, but albuterol is just a quick fix, you need comprehensive treatment as any other asthmatic, see an allergist/pulmonol
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Very common:
Cough is a very common sign of asthma and colds (viral infection) are the most common trigger for kids under 2 yr.

To prevent progression, I have found starting/increasing the Flovent early in the cold may prevent progression. This should be outlined on the written asthma action plan. Consider using a peak flow meter to monitor and use albuterol for symptom relief. Hope to avoid prednisone.
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20

Some:
Flovent is a cortisone type inhaler. Make sure to the child rinses his/her mouth after use since steroids may cause throat infections. Albuterol- rescue inhaler- may cause a little excitability, gitteriness, etc. Since the child is 7, make sure to use a spacer since hand-inhaling coordination is important to get drugs into the lungs.
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21

Use as directed:
I assume you normally use pulmocort as a maintenance med and albbuterol as rescue--when you have a cold/flare up, use of albuterol may need to be increased for a short time. Otc cold meds can be used as directed in combo with your medications, but if symptoms not better or worsen after 3-5 days, I suggest consulting doc for eval/additional treatment etc... Good luck.
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23

Probably yes:
A child who has big tonsils in the throat and big adenoids, with bad allergy symptoms, likely coughs on and off, has trouble breathing through the nose, and at night has trouble sleeping due to snoring. Taking the tonsils and adenoids out, along with using steroid nasal sprays in the nose, may make his life a great deal smoother (sleeps better, coughs less, breathes easier through the nose).
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25

No:
No cough, perfect health is normal. Cough variant asthma is more common than the public understands, though. Assuming the diagnosis is correct, resist the urge to "throw antibiotics at it" and instead I hope your doctor is prescribing beta-agonists (Albuterol), inhaled steroids (Flovent, etc), and maybe other adjuctive meds. If no improvement in a few weeks, follow up with your Dr.
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27

Yes:
There is a recent study correlating the level of blood and airway eosinophils. However yours is only slightly elevated. Nonetheless the increased cough suggests that your asthma is not under control.
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28

It may trigger!:
Good evening, juliean respiratory infections can trigger an asthma attack. Most respiratory infections are due to some viral infections, in which case you will get better without any antibiotics. Bacterial infections which require an antibiotic usually make you feel feverish. An aggressive treatment of symptoms of asthma such as use of inhalers may prevent triggering an asthma attack.
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29

Need proper diagnosi:
Most people think shortness of breath is the only sign of asthma. Many times a constant cough is present (as may be in your Mom). Of course, getting tested and treated with both a rescue and controller inhaler may be the answer. Get her tested and treated.GOOD LUCK
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30

All of those:
Cough is a symptom of "something" and in a 4 year old, things such as acid reflux, asthma, nasal allergies, and chronic infection (chronic tonsillitis for example) can cause this. Treatments for each are different and often, these things can occur together. If the treatments for reflux, asthma, and allergies are not working, you should see an ENT to get an opinion about the tonsils and. Adenoids.
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A disease of the lungs caused by chronic inflammation of the airways most often caused by allergies. This inflammation results in airway swelling and hyperactivity leading to difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dry cough, etc.
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